Lásd

Lásd is a Hungarian imperative form of the verb lát, meaning to see or look. In written Hungarian, it is used as a directive to direct the reader's attention to other parts of the text, a figure, or a referenced source. The word functions similarly to the English word see, or see also, in cross-referencing passages.

Use and scope

Lásd commonly appears in dictionaries, encyclopedias, scholarly articles, legal documents, and educational materials. It signals that additional information can be found elsewhere and helps organize content without repeating material. The form is typically capitalized only when it starts a sentence; within a sentence it is written as lásd, as in lásd a mellékelt diagramot or lásd még a korábbi fejezetet.

Variations and style

Common expressions include lásd: (see:) followed by a reference, and lásd még (see also) introducing related material. In formal or polite Hungarian, the imperative form changes with address (for example, using lásson for polite address), but lásd itself remains the standard, informal directive in most contemporary texts.

Relation to other languages

The concept of a cross-reference via a verb meaning “see” is universal, but linguistic realization varies. In Hungarian, lásd serves as a concise, directive cue within continuous prose, allowing writers to guide readers efficiently without extensive repetition.

Etymology

Lásd derives from the verb lát (to see) and the imperative suffix -d. It is part of everyday literary and editorial language in Hungarian, fulfilling a practical role in organizing information and guiding readers through complex material.